LG Q6 Review: The Almost Perfect Midranger

The midrange smartphone market is the most competitive area of tech world. Gone are those cheap plastic build and mediocre cameras. We see all metal, sometimes all glass premium looking midrangers.

This year, many smartphone brands are pulling out their big guns. Midrangers now have features we see at flagships like edge to edge displays with 18:0 aspect ratio. One perfect example is the LG Q6. Let’s find out if this is the midrange phone for you.

LG Q6

Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor

Adreno 505 graphics

3GB RAM

32GB internal storage expandable via microSD up to 256GB

5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD 18:9 display (2160 x 1080 pixels)

13 megapixel rear facing camera with autofocus and LED flash

5 megapixel front facing camera with 100 degree wide angle lens

Dual SIM, Dual Standby

4G/LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth

GPS, A-GPS

3,000 mAh battery

Android 7.1 Nougat with LG UX 6.0

Dimensions – 142.5 x 69.3 x 8.1 mm

Price: P12,990

Status: Avaiable at LG stores and retailers

HARDWARE AND DESIGN

There’s is no denying with LG’s design language here. It does look like the LG G6, the company’s 2017 flagship. Except for some button placements and the lack of a fingerprint scanner, the LG Q6 gets all the design from the G6. Looking closer, the Q6 does not actually have a glass back but a plastic chassis that is glossy enough to be mistaken as a glass.

The reduced bezels made this 5.5-inch smartphone looks so small, even smaller than other 5.5-inch devices. It is also significantly lighter and easier to hold with one hand.Even those who prefer a smaller smartphone will appreciate this size.

DISPLAY

We are happy to see a full HD display resolution on a midrange smartphone. Though we prefer OLED, but the IPS LCD display is very crisp and vivid. Its only weakness is sunlight legibility as it struggles to get a good view under direct sunlight.

SOFTWARE AND PERFORMANCE

The daily grind with the LG Q6 is pretty smooth thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor underneath. This chipset has been proved to be very reliable even for gaming. It is also paired with 3GB RAM which is also great for multitasking.

On the software side, if you’ve been an LG smartphone user, it will be familiar look LG own UI was not the favorite of many tech bloggers who review them but for us, it is quite fine. Icons may be a bit cartoonish but we think that there are more uglier UIs there from other brands.

CAMERA

Overalll, the 13 megapixel camera did not disappoint but did not excel either. Basically it stays in the middle – better than other smartphone we’ve reviewed like the Vivo V5s but it lacks behind the he likes of the Huawei Nova 2i.

LG should also contemplate on upping the ante on the selfie game. The 5 megapixel camera takes photos but not enough to cut the competition. If offers wide angle mode for selfies though it does not have dual cameras.

CONNECTIVITY

With the omission of the fingerprint scanner, the power button is moved to the sides. Its kinda a deal breaker if you are very particular of security, surely, the lack of fingerprint scanner will disappoint.

All connectivity options are standard. WiFi, Bluetooth and 4G/LTE. Calls are clear with no issues. Internet speeds using Globe or Smart SIMs are normal.

BATTERY

The 3,000 mAh battery is adequate more a heavy use. It lasted around 10 hours of mixed heavy to moderate use.our activity includes hours of Netflix, Dead Trigger 2, I Want TV and social media.

VERDICT

Let’s take a quick recap. Screen? Check. Good camera? Check. Battery Life? Check. It seems to check out the things we are looking for in a midrange smartphone. But we can’t deny it lacks some features like the fingerprint scanner, the selfie camera and the screen’s struggle under the sun. If the lacking features are not important to you then this is the midrange phone for you.